General purpose relay



pril 22, 1958 K? w. GRAYBILL ET AL 7 2531940 GENERAL PURPOSE RELAY Filed April 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Kenna/b W Graybfl/ BY Hans 56/7 6 50/;

April 22, 1958 GRAYB'LL ET 2,831,940

GENERAL PURPOSE RELAY Filed April 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Ken/2am W 6/0 0/7/ BY Hans Sen eusc/i United States Patent GENERAL PURPOSE RELAY Kenneth W.. Graybill, Elmhurst, and Hans Seng ebusch,

Ingleside, IlL, assignors to General Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of This invention relates in general to relays, and is more particularly concerned with relays having a plurality of spring contacts which simultaneously break-make respon sive to energization thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relay with a plurality of rows of fiat type springs which make or break contacts with the maximum amount of sensitivity.

Another objectof the invention is to provide in a relay, with the provision of a T-shaped armature and cards for causing certain rows of flat springs to move in one direction and another row of flat springs to move in an opposite direction, whereby each directional movement partially open and close a plurality of spring contacts.

A feature of the invention resides in the utilization of a T-shaped armature which pivots at its perpendicular inter section, having two cards with each card interlocking'with one of the horizontal arms of the armature and separating. certain rows of flat type springs, whereby each card tension their corresponding rows of flat springs in opposite directions responsive to pivoting of said armature.

Another feature of the invention, in combination with the above feature, having a U-shaped. core and heel-iron combination whereby the spring assembly and armature 2,831,940 Patented Apr. 22, 1958 The present invention utilizes a U-shaped heel-piece core combination and having a plurality of flat type spring contacts mounted on the heelpiece and a coil supported on the other leg. A T-shaped armature is utilized to pivot at its perpendicular intersection to thus provide a teeter movement of thearmature responsive to energization or deenergization of the relay. At each horizontal arm of the armature a comb or card, serving as a spring separator, acts to either make or break one set of spring contacts responsive to the teeter motion of the armature in one direction, and a vice-versa' action of the spring contacts responsive to the teeter motion of the armature in the other direction. In such an arrangement the present invention provides a plurality of flat type springs to be mounted on one heelpiece and'still provides sensitivity of the contacts which will be more readily understood from a more detailed explanation to follow.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 3 there is shown an electromagnet 1. The electromagnet 1 utilizes a U-shaped metallic member 2 as a heelpiece and core combination whereby one arm is encompassed by coil 9. The coil 9 has a conventional terminal mounting at one end for securing soldering terminals thereto (as shown), and a coil retainer 5 for securing the coil 9 to the mentioned core arm.

On the other arm of the heelpiece near the joining point of both heelpiece arms, a spring assembly 10 is mounted (Figs. 2, 3, and 6). The spring assembly 10 consists of flattype springs suchas 11, 12, 13, 14, insulator spacers, such as 4, and screws, such as 10a and 10b. The spring assembly 10 when completely mounted has listing from top to bottom in Fig. 3, one' flat guide spring 11, a row are mounted on one leg of the U-shaped heel-iron and the other leg having a coil slipped thereover, with the leg containing the mountings serving asthe return path-for the magnetization thereof.

Another feature of the inventionis a relay of the type described, including means for stabilizing the mentioned: cards in an upright position.

Other objects and features willbecome apparent from.

a perusal of the following specification taken in conjunction'with the accompanying drawings wherein:

. Fig. 1 shows a front view of the relay in a position in which it would normally be mountedon a frame.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the relay, showing a plurality of fiat type springs mounted as part of a spring assembly.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the relay in its normal unoperated position.

Fig. 4 shows the mountings and means for mounting:

parts of the relay assembly on a heelpiece.

Fig. 5 shows one of the combs or cards which controls and supports two rows of flat type springs.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the relay assembly in an operated position. g

Over a period of years, a great deal of thought has been.

given to the problem of designing a lower cost general,

purpose relay. One of the first steps toward this goal. was achieved by utilizing one member to provide the equivalent of both the core and the heelpiece. 'However,. one of the difiiculties encountered in this type of arrange; ment was the problem of securing any appreciable amount of flat type contact springs within the width of the heelpiece, and still have sensitivity of the contacts- Other problems encountered was that in using a plurality of flat type contact springs, the relay appeared bulky and. unattractive.

of upper flat springs, a middle row of fiat springs 13, and a lower row of six flat springs 14, with insulator spacers, such as 4 spaced between each level acting as electrical circuit preventives between each level of rows of spring contacts. The row of upper flat springs 12 can clearly be seen in Fig. 2, and it is to he obviously understood that the rows of springs .13 and 14 are in complete alignment vertically therewith, whereby one spring in each row has two corresponding springs from the other two rows in complete vertical alignment therewith, and each spring in each row is independent of other springs in its corresponding row. The heelpiece has a pair of threadedholes 2h *(Fig. 4) for inserting the two middle screws 10a of the springs assembly 10, to thereby fasten the spring assembly to the upper leg of the heelpiece, as shown in Figs. 3 and '6. The lowermost insulator spacer of the spring assembly 10 has four threaded holes (not shown) for inserting the four screws 10b therein for securing the spring assembly intoasingle unit.

Each spring of the middle row of flat springs 13 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6 extends further longitudinally than do each flat spring row of fiat springs 12 and 14 for a reason to be explained in the ensuing description. Each fiat spring 12 is bent downward slightly making an angle of approximately degrees, and also having two projections 12a (Fig. 3) for engaging one of the middle springs 13. Similarly, each flat spring 14 is bent upward slightly making an angle of approximately 135 degrees, and also having two projections 14a'for engaging one of the middlesprings 13. At the points of engagement'between either projectionss 12a and its associated middle spring 13 or projections 14a and its associated middle spring 13 precious metal is provided thereat for a substantial electrical contact therebetween when engaged at the opposite ends ofeach flat spring 12,

13 and 14, each spring acts as a soldering terminal where i centered horizontally above each row of flat springs,

and extends longitudinally a distance "shorter than the other mentioned springs. Near its extending end, guide spring 11 has a rectangular aperture 11a for a purpose to be described in the ensuing description.

Also provided on the upper arm near the end thereof, is a threaded hole (not shown) for securing an armature mounting plate and a stabilizing spring 13 (Figs. 1, 4, and 6), by means of bolt 19 being fastened ;therein. The stabilizing spring 18 is tear-shaped (Fig. 4), and at its narrow end bends at about ninety degrees downward to engage within a narrow opening 25 (Fig. 4) in the upper heelpiece arm. 7

The armature mounting plate 15 consists of a pair of bearings 16 for allowing the pivoting of a pin 517 therein. The armature 3 also has a pair of bearings 31 at perpendicular intersections of the armature where each end of the pin is fastened therein, to thus allow tie armature 3 to pivot with the pin 17.

The armature3 is predominately T-shaped in viewing it from a side view (Figs. 3 and 6), and comprises a vertical arm 3V, two horizontal left arms fiHL, and two horizontal right arms 3HR. The vertical arm 3V of the armature 3 has a non-magnetic metal contact surface on its inner side for engaging the lower end of the heelpiece 2. in viewing the left horizontal arm 31-11. of the armature 3 from a top view (Fig. 4),- it appears to be Y-shaped and has a slot 3a at opposite ends thereof for a purpose to beidescribed. Each right arm 3HR extends a short distance, and having a notch 3b at one end of each arm for a purpose to be described.

Another threaded hole (not shown) is provided in the upper leg of the heelpiece 2 adjacent to the armature for mounting a U-shaped armature backstop 7 by means of a screw fastened therein. Each leg of the armature backstop projects to permit resting of each horizontal right leg 3HR of the armature 3 thereon. Also, each leg of the armature backstop 7 is resilient enough to permit manual bending thereof to insure a proper resting positionfor each horizontal right arm 3HR if found to be necessary to do so.

A fiat comb or card 6 in a shape as shown in Fig. 1 is made of a non-metallic material, such as phenol fibre and is utilized to engage the middle fiat springs 13 and horizontal left arm 3HL. One of the horizontal inner edges, namely 6e of the card is utilized for resting the left horizontalarms SHL, and also the slots 3:: of each of said arms enclose one of two vertical inner edges of the card 6.as shownzin Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6 for aiding in stabilizing the card in an upright-position. Another edge 65 (Fig. 1) of card 6 rest.upon the extending upper surfaces of the middle flat springs 13 which protrude therethrough, and the two outer springs have notches 1311 (Fig. 2) for enclosing a portion of a vertical outer edge of the card 6 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, for further stabilizing the card in an. upright position.

A second fiat comb or card 8 in a shape as shown in Fig. 5, is also made of a non-metallic material such as phenol fibre, and is utilized to engage the guidesprings 11, the upper and lower rows of fiat springs 12 and 13, and the right arms 3HR of the armature 3. The card 8 has two notches 8n, whereby one of each notches 8n, engages Within one of each notches 3b of the right horizontal arm 3HL of the armature 3 (as shown in Figs. 3 and 6) to provide an interlocking arrangement therein for aiding in stabilizing the card 8 in an upright position. A lower inner edge 8a of the card 8 is utilized for resting the lower row of flat springs 14 thereon, and an upper edge 8b is utilized to rest the upper row of flat springs 12 thereon. As previously mentioned the extending end of the guide spring 11 has a rectangular aperture 11b for enclosing about a projection 80 of the card 8 (as shown in Fig. 2), for further stabilizing the card 8 in an upright position.

Operation Referring to Fig. 6, and-responsive to current via the conductors (not shown) soldered to the soldering terminals of electro-magnet 1, the core (which is represented by the lower leg) magnetically attracts the armature 3 in a well-known manner. The magnetic attraction thereof pivots the entire armature and pin 17 in a counter-clockwise direction within the bearing 16 to the position as shown in Fig. 6.

The pivoting of the armature 3 causes the left horizontal arms 3HL to pivot downward and causes the right horizontal arms 3HR to pivot upwards. The left horizontal arms 3HL which engages the card 6 at its inner edge 60 forces the card downward, whereby at the inner edge 6s the card 6 tensions the middle row of flat springs 13 downward. The right horizontal arms 3HR thereby force the card 8 in an upward direction responsive to the pivoting of armature 3 whereby; the inner edge 8a of card 8 tensions the lower row of fiat springs 14 upward; the upper edge 8b of card 8 tensions the upper row of flat springs 12 upwards; and the extreme upper surface perpendicular to the projection of card 8 tensions the guide spring 11 upwards. The downward tensioning of the row of flat springs 13 and the upward tensioning of the rows of flat springs 12 and 14 causes disengagernents between contacts of flat springs 12 and flat springs 13, while simultaneously causing engagement between contacts of fiat springs 13 and flat springs 14 at the precious metal inlays located at 14a and a corresponding location on spring 13. The moving of springs 13 in one direction and the moving of springs 12 and 14 in an opposite direction, provides each directional movement with partially opening one row of contacts and partially closing another similar row of contacts. The upper guide spring 11 which is of a more rigid construction than the other fiat springs exerts a counter-tension against the card 8 downward upon being tensioned upward, but is not enough to overcome the magnetic attraction of the armature 3.

As previously mentioned conductors are soldered to each soldering terminal end of each flat spring 12, 13 and 14 whereby responsive to energization of electro-magnet 1 a plurality of electrical circuits will be closed between rows of springs 13 and 14 and their intended circuit destinations, and a plurality of electrical circuits will be opened between rows of springs 12. and 13, providing that electrical circuits existed thereover prior to energizetion of electromagnet 1.

The stabilizing spring 18 as mentioned has an extending projection fastened Within a slot in heelpiece 2, which stabilizes the entire armature mechanism from unwanted shifting thereof responsive to energization or deenergization of the electromagnet which effects its movements.

Deenergization Of The Relay Responsive to deenergization of clectromagnet 1, the magnetic attraction of the armature is dissipated whereby the tensioned guide spring 11 with the aid of tensioned springs 12 and 14 force card 8 and the right horizontal arms 3HR downward until said arms engage their respective projections of backstop '7. The downward movement of card 3 causes the armature 3 to pivot in a clockwise direction, whereby the vertical arm 3V containing the contact 29 disengagcs the core, and the left horizontal arms ZlHL move in an upward direction. The tensioned flat springs 12, 13 and 14 will thus return to their normal positions whereby the row of springs 14 will disengage the row of springs 13 and the row of springs 12 will engage the row of springs 13, to thus open and close a plurality of respective electrical circuits therebetween.

In adjusting or assembling the relay for a more perfect harmony of the engagements of the rows of flat spring contacts due to the extreme length of each flat spring they are easily manually accessibie to after mounting by a spring adjuster pliers or implement. Further, as previously mentioned, the projections of backstop 7 can be adjusted at a proper horizontal level so that the right horizontal arms 3HR lie thereon at a desired location for the utmost sensitivity of the contacts.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: v

1. In an electro-magnetic relay, a heelpiece, a plurality of rows of springs mounted as a unit on said heelpiece, an armature pivotally supported on said heelpiece, a pair of cards supported on said armature and arranged to be moved in directions opposite to each other responsive to movement of said armature, a plurality of electrical circuits associated with each row of springs, means re sponsive to energizations and deenergizations of said electro-magnetic relay to cause movement of said arma ture and cause said cards to move in directions opposite to each other, means responsive to the directional movements of said cards whereby one card of said pair acts to move certain of said rows of springs to partially open and close a plurality of electrical circuits while said other card of said pair moves the remaining rows. of springs to complete said opening and closing of said plurality of electrical circuits.

2. In an electromagnetic relay, a U-shaped member having one leg serving as a heelpiece and the other leg serving as a core, a plurality of rows of springs with each spring in each row having at least one spring associated therewith in another row, said plurality of rows of springs mounted on said heelpiece leg and parallel therewith, an armature pivotally supported on said heelpiece leg, said armature having three arms adapted to be pivoted in different directional planes, a pair of cards having a plurality of inner edges, means for positioning one card on one of said armature arms and for positioning the other card on a second armature arm, said edges on said cards separating certain rows of individually associated springs and permitting engagement of other rows of individually associated springs, said third armature arm moving in one directional plane to engage said core responsive to energization of said electromagnet relay, said one armature arm moving said associated card in a second directional plane to cause partial opening and closing of certain associated rows of flat type springs and the second of said armature arms moving said associated card in a third directional plane to cause partial opening and closing of certain associated rows of flat type springs responsive to energization of said electromagnetic relay, whereby each of two directional planes cause complete closure of certain rows of springs and complete opening of other certain rows of springs.

3. In an electromagneticrelay, a heel-piece, an armaaure having a first arm and a second arm, pivot means at the junction of said two arms pivotally mounting said armature on said heel-piece, a first card positioned on said first arm, a second card positioned on said second arm, a set of contact springs comprising an upper, a center, and a lower spring mounted on said heel-piece, said upper and lower springs being tensioned in one direction with said upper spring engaging said center spring and said center spring being tensioned in said opposite direction, means responsive to the energization of said magnet for moving said first arm and said first card in said one direction and for moving said second arm and said second card in said opposite direction, means controlled by said movement of said first card for moving said center spring in said one direction away from said upper spring to disengage said upper spring and towards said lower spring, and means controlled by said movement of said second card for moving said upper spring in said opposite direction further away from said center spring and for moving said lower spring in said opposite direction to engage said center spring.

4. In an electromagnetic relay as claimed in claim 3 wherein said center spring engages said upper and lower springs at a point between said cards.

5. In an electromagnet, a U-shaped member forming a heel-piece and a core, a T-shaped armature having two parallel arms and a third arm perpendicular to said parallel arms, pivot means at the junction of said arms pivotally mounting said armature on said heel-piece, a first card positioned on the first of said parallel arms and a second card positioned on the second of said parallel arms, a set of springs comprising an outer, a center, and an inner spring mounted on said heel-piece in alignment, said outer spring normally engaging said center spring and said inner spring normally disengaged from said center spring, a coil on said core, means responsive to the energization of saidcoil for magnetizing said core to attract said third arm of said armature to move said first parallel arm and said first card in one direction and to move said second parallel arm and said second card in an opposite direction, means controlled by said movement of said first card formoving said center spring in said one direction away from said outer spring and towards said inner spring, means controlled by said movement of said second card for moving said outer spring in said opposite direction away from said center spring and for moving said inner spring in said opposite direction towards said center spring, and the combined movements of said springs causing disengagement of said center spring with said outer spring and engagement of said inner spring with said center spring. I

6. In an electromagnetic relay, a heel-piece, an armature having a first arm and a second arm, pivot means at the junction of said two arms pivotally mounting said armature on said heel-piece, a set of springs comprising an upper, a center, and a lower spring mounted on said heel-piece in alignment, said first card having an inner upper flat surface, a lower shelf portion, and side projections extending from said lower shelf portion, said first arm having a lower fiat surface and side slots, said second card having a first and a second inner shelf portions andan outer shelf portion, a recess in the bottom portion of said second card and a recess in the top portion of said second arm, another spring mounted on said heel-piece and tensioned in one direction against said outer shelf portion to hold said second card rested by said recesses to said second arm, said center spring tensioned in the opposite direction to engage said inner upper fiat surface of said first card to hold said lower shelf portion in engagement with said lower surface of said first arm and to hold said slide projections in said side slots of said first arm to thereby hold said first card substantially perpendicular to said first arm, said upper and lower springs being tensioned in said one direction to cause said upper spring to engage said center spring and said lower spring to be disengaged from said center spring, means responsive to the energization of said magnet for moving said first arm and said first card in said one direction and for moving said second arm and said second card in said opposite direction, said inner upper fiat surface of said first card moving said center spring in said one direction away from said upper spring and towards said lower spring by said movement of said first card, said first inner shelf portions of said second card moving said upper spring'in said opposite direction away from said center spring by said movement of said second card, said second inner shelf portion of said second card moving said lower spring in said opposite direction towards said center spring by said movement of said second card, and the combined movements of said springs causing disengagement of said center spring with said upper spring and engagement of said lower spring with said center spring.

No references cited. 

